On the Way to the Market

The Friends of the Beaufort Library will hold a public art installation celebration at the Saint Helena Branch Library on Saturday, October 27, at 2 pm. “On the Way To the Market,” a National Sculpture Society award-winning bronze sculpture by Alex Palkovich, captures an African-American woman going about her daily business, gracefully transporting a basket of vegetables on her head. The sculpture was purchased by the Friends to commemorate the history of the African descendants in the Lowcountry, and will be a permanent installation at the library. The sculptor will be on hand to provide background about his work, and to answer questions. Refreshments will be served, and all ages are invited for this special event.

Beaufort County Library Director, Ray McBride, initiated the sculpture’s display several months ago, and the community responded by starting a fundraiser to provide a permanent home for it in the St Helena Library. The Friends Board of Directors voted this spring to allocate funds for the purchase, supporting the role of public art in important spaces like our public libraries. “This sculpture reflects our Lowcountry community, and the Library supports the community. They belong together,” said Friends President Carol Brown.

Award-winning sculptor Alex Palkovich was born in an area that is now part of the Ukraine. He studied to become a mechanical engineer and has worked in Mexico, Israel and the UK, as well as the U.S. Throughout his business career he sculpted and exhibited internationally, and upon retirement he turned exclusively to his art. Palkovich is a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, the Oxford Art Society, the American Medallic Sculpture Society, and was elected the first South Carolina member of the National Sculpture Society in 2010. Palkovich divides his time between SC, Colorado, and Israel, where he maintains his studios. For more information about the artist, visit alexpalcovich.com.

For information about this installation event and about the Friends, visit FriendsofBeaufortLibrary.com.